You often worry about what you’re going to do with your life – your career, your family, the next step, etc. – which means you have ambition, passion, drive, and the freedom to make your own decisions.

You live in a country that protects your basic human rights and civil liberties.

You are reasonably strong and healthy – if you got sick today, you could recover.

You have a friend or relative who misses you and looks forward to your next visit.

Monday, November 26, 2012

We are in Michigan for a little post Thanksgiving/pre Christmas visit with my mom.

We were hoping to see a few snowflakes while we were here, so imagine how happy we were to arrive tosnow on the ground.A little snow.VERY little...but still snow!After a long, steamy Florida Summer and Fall, we see snow.Miss J was so excited,she immediately wanted to make snowballs.

Yep, only a southern girl plays in 1/2 inch of snow,HAPPILY making snowballs with her bare hands!Yes, Life is good:)

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

be HAPPIER in your HOME

Found this list on apartmenttherapy.com and then saw it reblogged in various places. I was inspired and thought it might inspire you too! I've tweaked things a bit to my tastes and for my readers but basically it's the same. Pink Christmas will have to wait another day.

1. Make your bed.

The book The Happiness Project, explains that this three minute task is one of the simplest habits you can adopt to positively impact your happiness. I read this book and while sometimes it was a bit much for me, it has GREAT happiness ideas:)

2. Bring every room back to “ready.”

I learned this trick from Marilyn Paul’s clever book, It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys. It’s a known fact: Clutter causes stress; order creates a haven from it. This mood-boosting routine is simple: Take about three minutes to bring each room back to “ready” before you depart it. (Unless you have a toddler, or a partner who likes to simulate earthquakes, three minutes should be sufficient.)

3. Display sentimental items around your home.

One reason that experiences (and memories of those experiences) make us happier than material things is due to the entire cycle of enjoyment that experiences provide: planning the experience, looking forward to the experience, enjoying the experience, and then remembering the experience. Make your home a gallery of positive memories.

4. Start a one-line-a-day gratitude journal.

Before bed, simply jot down one happy memory from that day. (If you have kids, you can ask them, “What was the best part of today?”) We did that every night...now why didn't I ask myself that? Reflection is an important part of happiness, and pausing to reflect on a positive event from each day cultivates gratitude. (An added bonus: Later, when your memory is defunct, you will already have all of your meaningful adventures recorded!) If you have trouble getting started with journaling, consider buying a book to guide you. Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, is a great one.

5. If you can’t get out of it, get into it.

This tip comes from The Happiness Project also. I love the message: The dishes are not going to clean themselves, so you will do it, and you will like it! (Unless, of course, you can outsource this job, in which case I say: Nice work!) Otherwise, get into doing the dishes. Feel the soothing warm water on your hands. Enjoy the tickle of the tiny bubbles. Crank your favorite album at an unusually loud volume, do a couple fist-pumps while shouting “Can I get a hell yeah for the dishes? Hell! Yeah!” and pretend you love it.

6. Before you get up each morning, set an intent for the day.

Every morning when you wake, be grateful you are alive and have a precious life. A number of people have said that. Wow. I tend to wake up with a strong reaction that says, “Attention human beings: Be afraid of me before coffee. Be very afraid!” Setting a daily intent makes a huge difference. Your daily intent could be something like “be productive” or “enjoy today’s delicious moments” or it could be something more specific like “say thank you to my loved ones today.” But it should not be another “to do” item on your list.

7. Do small favors for your housemates, expecting nothing in return (not even a thank you!).

(That’s right, I said it: nothing!) Mow the lawn for your husband, but don’t expect him to pat you on the back. Make the bed for your wife, but don’t try to get bonus points for it. Take the trash out for your roommate, just because. The ability to cultivate strong, healthy relationships is one of the biggest contributors to health and happiness, but when you start to keep score, the benefit is lost. (No! It’s YOUR turn to clean up the dog poop!) It’s a well-known fact: When you do good, you feel good. Hmmm.....

8. Call at least one friend or family member a day.

You can do this while you clean, while you make the bed, or while you walk the dog. Texts and emails do not count! Make an actual phone call to a loved one, just to chat and catch up. We humans are social beings and studies show that even when we don’t feel like it, even if we are naturally introverted, socializing with our loved ones makes us feel better.

9. Spend money on things that cultivate experiences at home.

Save money for a new grill for parties or cookouts, or a new DVD or game for family movie night — something that will encourage you to be home with those you love and enjoy it! Don’t forget to print out the pictures to remember the good times.)

10. Spend time every day with God. (This one is kinda my addition:)

Obviously, spending time in devotion and prayer is very important. But maybe noticing and appreciating his beautiful works is another way.....take a walk in nature. Write in a journal. Be thankful and present.

Well, that's about it for today:) I hope some of this helps you as it did me. Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

This is somewhat of a repost from Christmas in July.
I figured some un-festive people were not too happy
when I did this in July,
so I'm posting it again today.
Soon, I hope to repost one of my reader favorites,
which was a PINK Christmas in July from a few years back:)
If you see a stray reference to summer that I missed,
sorry about that.
It was SWELTERING hot when I wrote this originally:)
Alrighty then, here we go.....

what i thought i would do is look at Holiday decorating "styles".

do you have one?

or are you more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of gal?

maybe your decorating is whatever your kids draw, create or want to hang on the tree.

that's what mine was, for YEARS!

i love it still.....

although now i change it up sometimes.

i'm sure when i have the empty nest, i'll bring back the kiddie tree,

just because:)

anyway, let's get started with the decorating PERSONALITY quiz.

are you a traditional, red and green kind of person?

i'm not so much.....but i do love it when i see it.

and one of these days i'm going back.......

because i really want a red tree some day.

i know.......a red tree is NOT traditional.

hahahaha

but at least it's red:)

okay, if you go the red and green route,

you are classic, traditional, conservative and reliable.

you are okay with change to a certain extent.

but not too drastic.

decorations may change and get an update.....

but they must stay RED and GREEN.

and your lights are always white.

they look best with the red and green theme.

well, what do ya think?

am i close? a little bit? maybe???

now, what if you use colors like

orange, turquoise, fuschia, purple and lime in your decorating?

hmmmmm......

well, to start with ,

you would ALWAYS use multi colored lights.

the more color, the better.

you are non-traditional, obviously.

you like to try new things and you LOVE change.

you are adventurous, free-spirited, confident and outgoing.

people like being around you with your FUN outlook on life.

okay, okay.....what about all those people who have a single color scheme.....

like Pink?

well, obviously you are a bit non-traditional too,

although not necessarily "modern".

you may be vintage and classic, but just LOVE pink!

you believe in surrounding yourself with people and things that you LOVE,

that make you happy.

you don't care what others think.....you like it.

it is important to you that your choices in life reflect the real you.

you love pretty things and aren't afraid to be a lady

you are very warm and approachable and make friends easily......

especially if they like pink too:)

so pretty.....in pink:)

"i'm dreaming of a white Christmas....."

yes, let's talk about those who love their whites.

(including metallics)

that's the style i have these days.

but trust me, it isn't cold.

not at all.

mixed with creams and a bit of glittery metallics,

it's my Vintage glam" look:)

but i promise to be unbiased in my personality description here:)

white christmas lovers are......

non traditional, to start with.

i mean a giant white tree?. definitely non-traditional!

they like beautiful things and love the idea of a

snowy white Christmas.

they are confident, happiest when decorating their home,

a bit controlling in that they like decorations to

"go with" or coordinate with the decor.

know what i mean?

but in a good way, of course:)

they are dreamers.....and they are doers.

(had to stick that one in there:)

elegant too...did i say that?

heehee

okay, before i sign off,

just a few odds and ends.

this year, i am sticking with craft paper that i embellish real pretty

for my gift wrapping.

i think.

if i get my act together:)

something like this......

although MUCH less professional looking:)

nice, huh?

and speaking of gift wrap,

if the kiddies are getting cabin fever,

summer is a great time to have them make your Christmas wrapping paper.